Tear It Down

This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
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Outside, the air was thick and threatening rain. Spring in Tennessee. Peter strode across the wide concrete apron toward the road.

Go to Memphis, June had said. Eat some barbecue, listen to music, have some fun.

So far there had been no barbecue and no music.

Was it wrong that he might be having fun?

WHAT'S TEAR IT DOWN ABOUT?
Peter's been recuperating and rehabbing from his injuries from Light It Up at June's—he's about as recovered as he can be and is spending his time doing some upkeep and repairs on some of the buildings. But being in one place for so long is getting to him. He doesn't see it, but June does.

June has a friend, Nadine, in Memphis. She's a photographer who's done show more a few tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, embedded with various groups. She's back home in Memphis and has recently purchased a house at auction. Since then, she's been harassed and could use some help. So June sends Peter off to lend a hand.

The morning before he arrives at Nadine's, someone had driven a dump truck through the front of her house and then ran off. The truck is still there, which is what's keeping some of the walls from falling. Clearly, he's got his work cut out for him.

The work gets complicated the next day when Peter's carjacked. No, really. A teenager with a pistol sticks Peter up, stealing his truck (with all his tools, food, and weapons) in the back. Peter likely could've stopped him, but chooses to let the kid get away with it for some pretty good reasons.

So now, he has to try to stop further attacks on Nadine, help her rebuild the house that she's determined not to leave, and get his truck back. Oh, and immediately following the carjacking, Peter offended the drug lord who runs most of the crime in that part of Memphis—but you'll want to read all that for yourself.

A MAN CALLED LEWIS
Lewis decides that Peter needs help (with a little input from June) and shows up just when things are getting hairy.

If I've noticed it before, I don't remember—but Lewis here is essentially Robert B. Parker's Hawk. There's one conversation between Lewis and Peter that could've been lifted straight from a Hawk and Spenser conversation by Parker/Atkins, too.

It works, too, don't get me wrong. I am kicking myself a little for not having seen it before, but I don't think it was as strong—maybe that's because of the themes/circumstances in this book that it stands out so much.

SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT TEAR IT DOWN?
There's a significant racial component to the events and circumstances of this book. This added a little depth to the novel, it's about more than people trying to get money and power, as is usual for these books. Sure, there's money and power at the root of a lot of what's going on here—but there's a degree of hate that wasn't around either.

There are also two characters who are just trying to survive in a world that seems hostile—and increasingly so—to them. They just need a break, a chance to do something, but it's taken from them at every turn. The question for them is what they do in these circumstances—and what the results of their choices will be for those around them.

There is a significant toll on those who just happen to be near Peter and Lewis when things get ugly between them and those who are harassing Nadine. Peter notices this and it bothers him—it's one thing in war for there to be collateral damage, but there was no reason for anyone injured (or worse) here to be in danger. It will be interesting to see if this experience has an impact on how he deals with things in the future.

This one had it all—great action, a compelling story, some good social commentary, and some time with characters I'm really growing attached to. Nick Petrie and Peter Ash continue to be a winning combination. show less

Tear It Down (2019) by Nick Petrie. With America’s soldiers being an almost constant presence in the Middle East for the past two decades it was inevitable that there would be many stories about those who came home, what they did there and what they do back here. The main stay of this series of returnee adventures is Peter Ash with his restless spirit and PTSD. Even though he loves the life he was starting to build with June Cassidy in the Washington hinterlands, when June tells him of her friend in need in Memphis, he is quickly, almost too happily, on the road.
Friend Wanda, a war correspondent photographer, now has a new house in the North section of town. She has been threatened, but by the time Peter makes it to her house, there show more is a dump truck parked in her living room, its tail sticking out toward the street. The question without an answer is why did this happen.
To complicate things, Peter has his truck stolen at gunpoint by a desperate young man. The man, teen actually, had been pulled into a jewelry heist that ended poorly and he needed a ride out of town. Although the kid threatens Peter, Mr. Ash is not worried and decides to track down the thief, recover the truck, and do some justice. But this is a story full of complications and unspoken needs. Peter, always trying to do the right thing, finds himself on the side of the young thief.
Wanda and the kid are two apples from the same tree. Both are in trouble, both desperate for a solution to their woes, and finally both dependent on Peter to fix the problems, if that is possible.
The city of Memphis plays a vital role in this tale of need, want, desperation and dreams. Being a white man in a darker section of town doesn’t phase Peter, but it sets the mood for the entire book.
And the Memphis Blues play throughout the story, both thematically and sonicly. I always like when the landscape plays a significant role in a book. That, along with the various twists that occur, kept me reading rapidly to the end. Now I have to get a few more of Mr. Petrie’s novels. show less

I have definitely been enjoying the Peter Ash novels, and while this is a good one -- with a nice mix of characters -- it gets a bit too unrealistic and violent in dealing with race issues in Memphis/South. Hoping the emotion of part of the subject matter is what drove this novel to be a little too far off the mark.

4.5 stars.

Tear It Down by Nick Petrie is a high-octane mystery that is full of suspense. This forth installment in the Peter Ash series can easily be read as a standalone.

Noticing that he is feeling on edge, Peter Ash's girlfriend June Cassidy suggests he go to Memphis to help her friend, Wanda Wyatt. Wanda, a combat photographer, has recently purchased a home in foreclosure and she is receiving threats to force her to move. Ash arrives just as the threats are turning more violent. Just as he is starting his investigation, his truck is carjacked by Eli Bell, a young man who is being hunted by drug kingpin Robert Kingston. While trying to reclaim his beloved truck, Peter also ends up crossing paths with Kingston, his shooter Charlene show more Scoot and driver Dennis Brody. As both of the situations continue to escalate, Ash's close friend Lewis joins him in Memphis. The formidable crime fighting duo soon find themselves in danger as they attempt to save Eli while working to identify who is gunning for Wanda.

Peter's time with June has helped him manage his PTSD better but he still struggles with his intense claustrophobia. He thrives on the adrenaline fueled adventures he finds himself in and he is not one to back down from a fight. With the help of overworked Detective James Gantry, Peter finally begins to unravel the mystery of who might behind the threats to Wanda. Ash is also very concerned about his reluctant client who is clearly struggling with the horrors she has witnessed over the course of her career.

With plenty of action, Tear It Down is an thrilling mystery with an eclectic and colorful cast of characters. Peter might be becoming a bit domesticated, but he never loses his zest for fighting for the underdog. Underlying themes of race, poverty and gang violence add depth and interest to the storyline. Readers will have to suspend their disbelief as Nick Petrie brings the novel to an edge of the seat, adrenaline-laced conclusion. I highly recommend this exciting addition to the Peter Ash series to fans of the genre. show less

This was a decent read. There were parts I liked as well as parts I felt were filler. 3 stars

Peter Ash is a likable guy, a former Marine with PTSD. He experiences white static, he's restless and as he said need for motion and go kinetic and he sure as hell did. He seems to do better when his Marine buddy, Lewis, joined in on the action. "Rise and shine, Jarhead. The motherfucking cavalry has arrived." The book really picked up from that point forward.

Another notable character; Wanda, she once was a war photographer covering Syria, also with PTSD, she relies on vodka and lots of prescription pills. Their story tied in nicely and the dialogs were natural between them.

I've never been to Memphis nor Iraq. The way the story and violence show more portrayed here makes you think they're similar.... without the sand.

(PTSD, drugs, gang wars, race) show less

I had fun with this one. I have to say that I am very happy that I made the decision to read this series several years ago when the first book, The Drifter, was being published. I feel like I have really got the chance to know Peter and the gang over the years and it has been quite the adventure. This book is the fourth in the Peter Ash series and while I think it could be read as a stand-alone novel, I do think that the series works best when read in order.

Peter is sent to help out a friend in Memphis. Once he reaches her home, he finds a dump truck parked in her living room. He immediately realizes that this is not going to be the simple job he thought it would be. Just as he is beginning repairs on her home, his truck is stolen by a show more fearful teenager and Peter is picked up by the head of the local gang. Nothing is ever boring in Peter's life.

Just as I expected this was an exciting story. There are several different things going on throughout the book and there was never any a dull moment. This book had all of the action that I could have hoped for including gun fights, car chases, and even a fist fight or two. I like the fact that all of the action in the story really helped to advance the plot and there were quite a few times that Peter was very vulnerable. He does handle himself well in most situations but he knows that he is not invincible.

I really liked the characters in this book. Peter is still dealing with PTSD from his time in the military. He is very much improved when compared to the start of the series but those experiences are always with him. Peter is very competent and able to stay calm in even the most extreme circumstances. Lewis is a lot of fun and probably my favorite character in the series. I love his relationship with Peter and think that the pair really compliments each other well. I really appreciate the complete trust that they have in each other. I thought that Wanda and Eli were also great characters with compelling backstories.

I do have to say that this book started out a bit slow for me which is odd since it was a really fast-paced story. I did find the beginning of the book to be interesting but I was confused by the absence of the main character, Peter. For me, the book really picked up once Peter entered the scene. I do understand why the author made the choice to show us some events from a different perspective but I did think it took a little to long for Peter to finally show up in the story.

I would recommend this book to fans of mystery thrillers. This was an action-packed story with a really compelling mystery. I couldn't wait to see how everything would pan out and must say that the story did come to a satisfying conclusion. I can't wait to read more from this author in the future.

I received a digital review copy of this book from Penguin Group - Putnam G.P. Putnam's Sons via NetGalley. show less

June Cassidy sees how restless Peter Ash of Tear It Down has become and sends him of to Memphis to help her friend Wanda Wyatt who is being harassed. When Ash arrives in Memphis, he finds a dump truck driven into Wyatt's house severely damaging the antebellum home. He also meets Wanda who is a photojournalist and conflict photographer suffering from PTSD. Ash takes it upon himself to repair the house and to find and deal with the harassers. Before he can begin to work, his pickup truck with his tools is jacked by young Ellison Bell an orphan in a great deal of trouble.
What develops are two unrelated stories one involving "a blue-faced devil" who wants the Wyatt house and will go to violent extremes to get it, and the other, as Ash's show more friend Lewis points out " 'After four hundred years of slavery, plus a hundred-fifty years of Jim Crow and lynchings and red-lining and endless fucking discrimination of all kinds, you come to darktown Memphis to do some good and you're feeling guilty.'
'Yes,' said Peter."
nota bene: Petrie showcases a local beer in each of the Peter Ash novels. This one is Beale Street's "Ghost River Gold." show less